3.23.2012

that's a lot of children.

they have been my support in some pretty high and low adoption emotions.

we have been getting together monthly, for over a year now. just us moms. we talk and talk, usually until the wee hours of the morning.

our time always seems to go so fast.

i love them. they get me.

they don't judge me.

when i say "i can't do this" they are the first to say "you can."

and they always point me back to Christ.

we have all adopted our ethiopian children from the same orphanage.

6 of our kids were all in ethiopia at the same time, so it's great when we get the kids together, because they get to see familiar faces.

we got our families together and met at a park last weekend...all 189 of us.

seriously, it felt like there were that many of us.

as you can see, we have a lot of children.

29 in this picture, but we are missing a handful (including milo who was sulking elsewhere).

some are in the belly still, others are still waiting in ethiopia and some were home sick.

our children are growing up, understanding that "love knows no color"...sometimes, i worry that elsa might feel like the odd man out in our family, but i'm always reminded that the kids don't think that. they always comment on how milo is a different color as well (lol to that). we're all just different shades of brown, as the kids say.

i will definitely miss this support group once we move...they've walked through some of my highest highs and lowest lows with me.

38 comments:

oh how amazing!well be adopting from foster care within Canada so our kids won't have that kind of connection to a kid from an orphanage (and neither will we have the parental connection) and I so value it and wish we would.love how God's provided that family for you guys.

It's absolutely fantastic that you have had such a wonderful (and large!) support system through the adoption process. It is so good to have people around in your situation, with the same concerns and the same feelings. No judgment.

I absolutely love this! That second to last picture is my absolute favorite. Way way too sweet. I'm so happy your children are growing up in such a great environment. Hopefully you'll be able to visit often once you move!

I don't remember the last day that passed without me thinking about adopting. Your posts always confirm my feelings. Right now finances stand in our way, but I know that eventually we will bring a new member of the family home with us. Your life is beautiful!

em. that 4th picture up from the bottom is UNBELIEVABLE. the movement, the focal point, the little boy's dimple.....all of it! you captured such a great moment of childhood there! i LOVE that picture so much i almost want to frame it in my own house!! all that aside, i loved reading your heart in this post.... love you so much.

This post encourages me so much! The pictures are fabulous! My husband and I are training now to be a Safe Families host home, and we will also begin training for our foster care license this year. Eventually we plan to adopt out of foster care as well.

Kudos to you on a successful group photo! I bet there were a few moms standing behind you acting like nuts while you were taking this. It's the only explanation for all the kids looking at your direction!

if there weren't struggles, what would you be learning from this that Christ is trying to teach you? you are real about it... love what you ladies are doing... the picture of the girls from a side view with elsa in the middle... precious!

Oh that is so awesome! I don't honestly know why but I started crying while reading this, it really touched me. Maybe its because my husband and I want to adopt for Ethiopia! the money part is stopping us right now, any advice/tips, or the real cost would be great to know! Where we have looked, it looks to be about $17,000 with my work covering $3500 of it.)

So awesome that you guys are able to get together like that!! <3 you! :)

Don't let the finances stop you! God provides, He truly does. Our adoption cost $30,000...and we managed to have what we needed, each time some was due.I've done a finance post before, I'll have to find it.

i'm so proud of you, em. you are such a great mom and i'm so thankful for the support system you have found. elsa is not the only odd man out...have you looked at yourself in the mirror, like ever? lol. you, elsa and milo can stick out together. :)

praise jesus for such an awesome community of heart friends. LOVE.and i can't take my eyes off of those beautiful sweeties! what a picture of the kingdom, i adore it. and this post.oh, and you, too, duh.

((hugs)) And I happen to be partial to Jenny, myself! So glad you have those connections. It's important! Iron sharpens iron. And their encouragement is obviously a blessing!! "love knows no color" is my favorite line from this post. And the pictures rock my world. ((more hugs))

i remember your post of elsa's homecoming last year. i remember sobbing from joy. that photo of all of your children is beautiful. your children's perspective is amazing. "we're all shades of brown." you are so blessed to have this in your life.

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